Category Archives: Articles by Patricia Walter

Patricia Walter writes articles about hip resurfacing, doctors, post op care, pre-op suggestions and other helpful hints about hip resurfacing. She is the owner and webmaster of Surface Hippy. The website features hip resurfacing information, doctors list, personal stories and a discussion forum called Hip Talk.

Articles About Hip Resurfacing by Patricia Walter

Surface Hippy Hip Resurfacing Information Posted on by
… Read the rest

Hip Resurfacing Information at Surface Hippy

Surface Hippy Hip Resurfacing Information Posted on by

Hip Resurfacing is an excellent bone-preserving option. The Surface Hippy Website features information for perspective patients. Patricia had her hip resurfaced in March 2006 with Dr. De Smet of Belgium. Because she felt there was a need for a website, she conceived and designed Surface Hippy in 2005. Since she knew first hand how wonderful hip resurfacing was, she wanted to help others learn. Visit Pat’s Corner to read her informative articles including How to Choose A Doctor  and Questions … Read the rest

13 Year Update Patricia Walter’s Hip Resurfacing with Dr. De Smet 2006

Surface Hippy Hip Resurfacing Information Posted on by

My BHR Birmingham Hip Resurfacing has been doing a great job for 13 years and has never caused me any problems. I had my hip resurfacing with Dr. De Smet on March 15, 2006 in Belgium.

I started https://surfacehippy.info in 2005 because I felt people should have information about hip resurfacing. The website has had many updates and design changes, but always provided information and personal stories about hip resurfacing. There have been many changes in hip resurfacing and … Read the rest

Subpoenas Against Surface Hippy – Editorial by Patricia Walter

Surface Hippy Hip Resurfacing Information Posted on by

An information website like https://surfacehippy.info should not be served subpoenas or be sued.  I truly wonder what is wrong with our world.  If every website providing information was sued, the internet would be a very empty space without any information.

Why would any lawyer think https://surfacehippy.info could possibly tell a person if they were a candidate for hip resurfacing or that they must/should have a hip resurfacing?

I want my readers to know that my website https://surfacehippy.info never tells anyone … Read the rest

Pat’s Corner – Why I Chose a Hip Resurfacing

Surface Hippy Hip Resurfacing Information Posted on by

My hip hurt, my body hurt and I needed a new hip. I had fought hip pain for almost ten years because I just did not want “half my leg bone cut off” to get a new hip replacement. It just did not make sense to me that doctors were still sawing off a big hunk of a femur bone to replace a hip. We sent men to the moon, had nuclear power and every kind of electronic device imaginable, … Read the rest

I Want a Hip Resurfacing But am Concerned About the Negative Response in the Medical Community

Surface Hippy Hip Resurfacing Information Posted on by

A new member of the Hip Talk Discussion Group is considering hip resurfacing, but very concerned about the negative press and the medical communities not supporting hip resurfacing.

Patricia Walter, owner of the Surface Hippy Website, responded to his concerns about hip resurfacing in the following article:

Hip Resurfacing is a very special method of replacing a hip. Ever since I began this website in 2005, hip resurfacing has never been widely accepted by the medical community. There might be … Read the rest

12 Year Anniversary for Patricia Walter’s BHR by Dr. De Smet March 15, 2006

Surface Hippy Hip Resurfacing Information Posted on by

My BHR is 12 years old. I have not ever had any problems with it or my hip. The real problem is that it is doing great while the rest of my 73 year old body is wishing it could also get an overhaul. LOL

Hip resurfacing is still a great option when you are a good candidate. There are very few problems with hip resurfacing for most people. There are always a few who do, unfortunately, have problems. Fortunately, … Read the rest

Questions to Ask Your Hip Resurfacing Surgeon

Surface Hippy Hip Resurfacing Information Posted on by

You should ask your hip resurfacing doctor as many of the questions that seem appropriate for your situation.  Your doctor should be patient, willing to talk about what to expect and answer your questions. Having all your questions answered will give you peace of mind and will make your surgery much less stressful.

Download and print the Questions Here:

https://surfacehippy.info/pdf/Questions-to-ask-hip-resurfacing-surgeon.pdf

Will you perform my hip resurfacing personally or have an assistant do the surgery?

 

How many resurfacings have you … Read the rest

About The Surface Hippy Website

Surface Hippy Hip Resurfacing Information Posted on by

Patricia Walter Owner/Webmaster of Surface Hippy Website

Patricia Walter Owner/Webmaster of Surface Hippy Website

Hip Resurfacing is very near and dear to my heart and left hip. I believe it is a wonderful alternative to a total hip replacement, if you are a suitable candidate. People with painful hips want to begin living an active life again without pain. They don’t want restrictions to their favorite sports and activities. Hip Resurfacing offers that opportunity to return to a normal active life without the fear of dislocation and … Read the rest

10th Anniversary of my BHR by Patricia Walter Owner/Webmaster

Surface Hippy Hip Resurfacing Information Posted on by

Today (March 15, 2016) is the 10th anniversary of my BHR (Birmingham Hip Resurfacing Device by Smith and Nephew) surgery.  My BHR is still going strong with no problems at all.  It feels just like my other unoperated hip – normal.

I traveled to Dr. De Smet in Belgium in 2006 because there were not many experienced hip resurfacing surgeons in the US.  Also, I did not have health insurance and could not afford surgery in the US.  Dr. … Read the rest

What Equipment Will I Need At Home After Surgery by Patricia Walter

Surface Hippy Hip Resurfacing Information Posted on by

What Equipment Will I Need At Home After Surgery?

Everyone has slightly different needs. There are some basic items almost everyone needs and then there are things that some people want and others just don’t need.

Must Haves:

Crutches  – Normally crutches are supplied by the hospital.  I used elbow crutches and they are much easier to use than normal under the arm crutches.  Overseas hospitals use elbow crutches while US hospital still normally use old fashioned under the arm … Read the rest

Pat’s Corner – Articles by Patricia Walter

Surface Hippy Hip Resurfacing Information Posted on by

Owner and Webmaster of Surface Hippy

I often have people write to me personally for advice and information.  I have been researching hip resurfacing for about four years.  I had my hip resurfaced March 15, 2006 with Dr. De Smet of Belgium. I have formed many opinions along the way. They are only my opinions from what I have read. I am not trained in any medical field, I am a Mechanical Engineer by profession.  So everything I write … Read the rest

2nd Annual Hip Resurfacing Course October 24 & 25, 2008 in Los Angeles, CA

Surface Hippy Hip Resurfacing Information Posted on by

Updated 10/1/2014

I was very honored to attend the 2nd Annual Hip Resurfacing Course in LA on Oct. 24 & 25, 2008.  The course was to teach new surgeons about hip resurfacing and to allow experienced hip resurfacing surgeons to share their experience. Allied medical professionals also attend the course such as physical therapists, surgeons not performing resurfacing and medical device companies.I hardly have enough words to describe the wonderful experience. I spent two intense days learning about every… Read the rest

High Metal Ions, Pseudotumors, Metalosis & ALVAL

Surface Hippy Hip Resurfacing Information Posted on by

Article by Patricia Walter and Hip Resurfacing  Surgeons

Patients and prospective patients are always concerned about the complications that could occur after a hip resurfacing surgery. The typical problems include femur neck fractures, dislocations, loose acetabular cups, improperly positioned acetabular cups, high metal ions, infections, pseudotumors, ALVAL and metalosis.

There has been a lot of discussion among patients on discussion groups about the high metal ion issue and pseudotumors.  I am not a doctor or medically trained.  I am a … Read the rest

Pat’s Corner – Everyone Recovers At A Different Rate

Surface Hippy Hip Resurfacing Information Posted on by
Surgery experiences and recovery rates will be different for each person having a hip resurfacing. Many of us were very fortunate to have good experiences in the hospital and have fairly quick recoveries.  I guess we are the Rabbits.

There are people that have experienced very difficult recoveries and their return to a normal life has been very slow.  I guess they are the Turtles.

Some are lucky and have an average recovery which puts them right in the middle … Read the rest

Pool and Water Exercises and Stretches at Surface Hippy

Surface Hippy Hip Resurfacing Information Posted on by

Listed below are the Pool Exercises that I used to help my stiff muscles after my Hip Resurfacing. These were not given to me by Dr. De Smet, but designed for me by my PT in the US. There were all very gentle and anytime that I started to be in pain, I was to stop. Each exercise or stretch was designed to be done by both legs. I started with 5 repeats of each exercise and gradually added more

… Read the rest

Pat’s Corner – Hip Resurfacing is still an excellent option 2012 despite negative media

Surface Hippy Hip Resurfacing Information Posted on by

I would like to comment, mostly for the people new to hip resurfacing, about the negative NY Times articles and other media against hip resurfacing. All of this information is one sided. The authors and some surgeons have an agenda against hip resurfacing. The retention rate of the BHR and other devices has been recorded and the records are available to the public. The first place to look are the national registries since they are actual statistics, not opinions:

Also … Read the rest